Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 92

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 92

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Marion Lee Cunard, the grandfather of John L., came to Ohio from Loudoun County Virginia, about 1836 and settled first in Rich- land township, Belmont County, where he re- mained until 1846 ,and then removed to sec- tion 4, when he lived for 12 years, removing then to section 5, where he purchased 160 acres of land and lived upon it until his death, which occurred in 1868, at the age of 52 years. His parents were Edward and Adah ( Thatcher) Cunard, both of whom died in Loudoun County where Edward Cunard was a slaveholder,- his widow eventually freed her slaves. Ed- ward Cunard died a young man, but his widow survived him, living to be 80 years old. The children of Edward Cunard were: Marion L., Steven T., Luther C., Sarah Ann ( Mrs. Thomas Stone), Nancy C., ( Mrs. Smith Marks), Mary P., unmarried, and Maria (Mrs. Craven Copeland), all of whom are de- ceased. Marion Lee Cunard married Perme- lia Nichols, who was born December 7, 1817, and died March 18, 1844. She had nine brothers and sisters, as follows: Maria ( Mrs. James Gardner ), deceased; Nancy ( Mrs. Wil- liam Norris) ; Jonah, who first married Nancy lloge and second, Jerusha France; Balaam, who married Abigail Hatcher; Sarah ( Mrs. Caldwell Dunn) ; Samuel, who married Sarah Dillon; Elizabeth ( Mrs. Andrew Richey) ; Alfred, a resident of Mercer County, Ohio, who married Eliza Hoover, now deceased; and Daniel, who married Adaline Brock, and re- sides near Mount Hope school house. Other members of our subject's family are. John, an uncle, residing in Wheeling township, Belmont

County, who married first Lettie Spencer and second, Katie Neihart; and an aunt, Mrs. Ada A. Ferguson, born April 10, 1844, who was educated in the common schools and was mar- ried to Joseph W. Ferguson, July 19, 1879.

John L. Cunard was one of a family of five children born to his parents, three of whom died in early life. He was the fourth in order of birth, his surviving sister being Elizabeth Piersel, the wife of William Piersel, of Union township. This sister has one child, Mary Christina. Mr. Cunard and his sister have a claim of 150 acres of land in Union township, which is in the possesion of Sadie Rankin, who has a life claim on it, she having been a member of the family since her seventh year.

Mr. Cunard was educated in the common schools of his township, and has followed farming and stock raising all his life, making a specialty of grain crops. On November 15, 1899, he married Ella Ida Walker, a native of Belmont County, and a daughter of William and Matilda Walker of this county. Mrs. Cunard was the seventh in a family of nine children born to her parents, the others being as follows: George, a resident of Bridgeport ; Margaret ( Mrs. William Taylor), a resident of this county; Nancy, deceased; Orville, at home; Amy; James; Frank; and Clyde and Nellie, twins. One son, Walker Smith, was born to our subject and wife, on August 25, 1901. Mrs. Cunard is a consistent member of the United Presbyterian Church and is much valued socially. Mr. Cunard belongs to no secret societies, and votes with the Republican party, although in no sense a politician. He is one of the best known and most highly respected young farmers of the county and bids fair to become one of its most prominent farmers.

T. C. AYERS. The legal profession in St. Clairsville, Ohio, is well represented by men who have won reputation throughout Belmont Coun- ty, and among these is T. C. Ayers, whose field of practice covers the county, State and United States courts. Mr. Ayers was born in Noble

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County, Ohio, May 20, 1858, and is a son of Philander C. and Nancy J. ( Eagan) Ayers.

Philander C. Ayers is one of Belmont Coun- ty's most substantial farmers. After a resi- dence of 14 years in Noble County, he moved to Belmont County, in 1863. In 1862, he sent a substitute into the army, as his removal to Belmont County made it necessary for him to remain at home. He is in every way quali- fied to fill responsible positions, but has ac- cepted only local offices. He has reached the age of 74 years, and his wife is about seven years his junior. Both are most highly re- spected members of the Methodist Church. They became the parents of 14 children, name- ly: Margaret F. (Morris) ; Mary E. (Big- ley) ; Emma A. (Groves) ; Anna M. ( Hen- derson) ; T. C .; Adda E. ( Howell) ; Tabitha J. (Barber) ; William F .; E. E., a minister, who married Eleanor Elder; Minnie C., who is at home; Harriet K. (Shepherd) ; John H., who married Clara Carpenter, and lives on the home farm; Esther M. ( Shepherd) ; and Lorena B., who died in 1876, at the age of three and a half years.

The subject of this sketch attended the com- mon schools and Hopedale Academy, in Har- rison County, and pursued a course in the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio. Ile studied law under John Pollock, of St. Clairs- ville, and completed his legal studies at the Cincinnati Law School, in 1889. Since that time Mr. Ayers has made his home in St. Clairsville, and by reason of his public spirit, progressive enterprise and ability as a lawyer, he has become one of the leading citizens of the place.

On May 10, 1888, Mr. Ayers was united in marriage with Mary E. Gibson, who was born in Noble County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late LeRoy Gibson, and a relative of Gen- cral Gibson. Her mother was Margaret Berry, and both the Gibson and Berry families are old and honored ones in Belmont County. Two children were born to this union,-Ken- dall G. and Cecil L. Mrs. Ayers is an active member of the Methodist Church.

For a number of years, Mr. Ayers has been

a prominent member of Belmont Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., in which he is past master. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, and was one of the organizers, on November 9, 1897, of the lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he has since been clerk. This lodge was the first one of that order in this Congressional district. As an orator, Mr. Ayers has always been in great demand during political campaigns, as his log- ical reasoning and fluency of speech impress his points as conclusively on an audience of voters as on a jury. Mr. Ayers is held in high es- teem in St. Clairsville, his record having shown him to be wise in counsel, generous and fair in spirit, a scrupulous official, and honorable and agreeable in all the relations of life.

ISAAC H. PITTMAN, a well-known citi- zen of Pilcher, Wayne township, Belmont County, and the efficient and popular postmas- ter, was born April 17, 1870, in Monroe Coun- ty, Ohio, being a son of David B. and Rachel Jane (Ady) Pittman.

The Pittman family is of French origin, but the grandfather of our subject, Theodore Pitt- man, was a native of Ohio, born near Bealls- ville, in Monroe County. His son, David B., was born in Monroe County in 1846, but came to Belmont County in 1881, locating first on Piney Creek, near Beallsville, removing to his present fine farm in section 30, near Pilcher, in 1885. For several years he has served as su- pervisor. Ilis wife, Rachel Jane Ady, was born in 1850, near Cameron, Monroe County, a daughter of Joshua and Catherine ( Hurd) Ady. Our subject is the oldest of the seven children born to his parents, the others being : Theodore A., a farmer of Monroe County, who married Ella Hudson and has two children,- Elvert and Herbert; Ida, who lives at home; Catherine, who married Ezra Kirkbride, a farmer near Pilcher, and has two children, --- Rose and Vernon; Charles, who is engaged in the lickster business and resides at Pilcher : and Stephen L. and Marion S., who are both at home.

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

Mr. Pittman was educated both in Monroe and Belmont counties and took a supplement- ary course in a normal school. For nine years he engaged in farming in Wayne township, but in 1899 turned his attention in a different direction, embarking in a mercantile business at Pilcher. Since its opening, his business has been greatly enlarged and now Mr. Pittman carries a stock that is valued at $2,000, con- ducting a general store and supplying a large territory. Since September, 1901, he has also been the postmaster and has become one of the most prominent men of the village, owning his own comfortable and attractive home, his store and other property.

In 1891 Mr. Pittman was married to Flora Sutton, who was born in Wayne township, near Hunter, a daughter of Joseph and Phrelove (Stidd) Sutton, both families being among the carly settlers. Mrs. Pittman has one sister, Mrs. Ernest Moore, of Wayne township. Mr. and Mrs. Pittman have one bright little son of IO years, Bracy S., who is an apt student at school and already a help in the business.

In politics Mr. Pittman is stanch in his Re- publicanism and is highly valued by his party. His fraternal connection is with the lodge of Knights of Pythias, of Jerusalem, Monroe County. Both he and his estimable wife belong to and liberally assist in supporting the Chris- tian Church.

SAMUEL GILLASPIE, a well-known ag- riculturist residing in York township, Belmont County, Ohio, resides on the old home farm where he was born and has always lived. The date of his birth is 1842, and he is a son of David Gillaspie and grandson of David Gil- laspie.

David Gilfaspie, grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania and at the age of 16 years was in the block-house at Wheeling, ( West ) Virginia. He was a potter by trade and for some years worked about Wheeling. Upon coming to York township, he located upon the farm now owned and occupied by our subject, which has been in possession of the Gillaspie

family for more than 90 years. He took up section 27 in partnership with the Moore fan- ily and lived upon this farm until his death in 1857. Ile married Hannah Stuckey, by whom he had the following children: John, Jacob, David, Nancy, Lydia, Barbara and Elizabeth.

David Gillaspie, father of our subject, was born in York township in 1812 and resided here all his life, dying in 1887. Hle was a Democrat in politics and served as township trustee many years. He married Matilda Gates, who now resides at Beallsville, Ohio, at the advanced age of 84 years. To them were born three children : Samuel; Philena, of Beallsville, widow of Thomas Wilson; and Nancy (Brock), who lives in Monroe County. Mrs. Gillaspie's father was Daniel Gates.

Samuel Gillaspie was reared in his native county and in 1862 enlisted in Company F, 52nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in the 14th Army Corps, under General Sherman, accompanying that great general in his march through the Southern States to the Atlantic Coast. Upon the close of the war he returned home and has since engaged in farming. Ile helped to build the present house on the farm, as well as the barn and other outbuildings, and at the present time owns 72 acres of well improved land.

Mr. Gillaspie was joined in marriage to Me- linda Hurley, who was born in Washington township, Belmont County, in 1847, and is a daughter of Nehemiah and Elizabeth ( Willis) Hurley, being one of eight children that grew to mature years: Washington, Charlotte, Franklin, James, Nehemiah, Cyrus, who died in Andersonville Prison, Sarah E., and Me- linda. Those who died before reaching ma- turity were Adeline, Eveline, Sarah E., and an infant. To our subject and his wife were born the following children : Annie married Louis Schafer and has three children living. Leroy, Myrtle, Goldie. and one deceased, Ber- nice Marie; Zepheniah married Mary Boner and has a daughter, Hazel: Effie married George Kreichbaum, of York township, and has a son, Clarence: Elizabeth ( Perin) has two sons living, Floyd and Ralph, and one de-

PETER NEFF.

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ceased, John N. ; Winona, wife of Albert New- hart, has a son, Newell; Myrtle, Ilattic, and Sherman. Three children-Maud, Lena. and an infant-are deceased. In politics Mr. Gil- laspie is independent. Socially he is a member of G. A. R. Post, No. 595, at Armstrong's Mills. Religiously he is a member of the Christian Church.

Ithamer P. Gillaspie, a cousin of our sub- ject, residing in section 28, York township, was born December 2, 1848, and is a son of John and Margaret (Cree) Gillaspic, his mother, who is 76 years of age, residing with him. His father was born in 1803 and died in 1879. Ithamer is one of 10 children: Me- lissa D., widow of David Carpenter, residing in Mead township; Nancy Jane, deccased, who was the wife of William Richmond; Welling- ton, of Wirt County, West Virginia; Marga- ret Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Abram Ram- say; David C., of Emporia, Kansas; John J .; Hannah; Mary E .; Ithamer P., and George W., of Glencoe. Ithamer P. Gillaspie married Sarah Janet Giffen, who was born in York township in 1850 and is a daughter of John G. and Sarah Giffen, and they have four sons and one daughter, as follows: Martha J. (Fish), of Bellaire, Ohio, who has two chil- dren, Neva and Eula; Everett E., of West Virginia; George W., of West Virginia; Cleveland G., and Clarence A. The Gillaspie family is one of the oldest and best known in York township.

PETER NEFF, a representative of one of Belmont County's oldest and most prominent families, is engaged in farming in Pultney township near the farm on which he was born, August 28, 1822.

Peter Neff is a son of George and Margaret (Ilelin) Neff, who came to Pultney township from near Baltimore, Maryland, as early as the spring of 1806. George Neff owned a farm, but followed blacksmithing, being one of the first to follow that trade in the county. They were parents of the following children :

Jacob, Andrew, Henry, Mary, George, Han- nah, John, Peter and Elizabeth.

Jacob Neff, who was born December 18, 1806, was married to Mary Owen, June 17, 1830. He lived and died in Richland town- ship. Andrew, born November 24, 1808, was married to Jane Alexander, April 1, 1845, Henry, born July 30, 1811, is the oldest of the family now living. He was married to Matilda A. Hall on October 15, 1844. Mary, born July 30, 1813, is now deceased. George, born February 20, 1815, was married March 6, 1849, to Sarah Bucher, who died in June, 1900. He resides on his farm near Neff's siding. For a period of 60 years he conducted the sawmill now operated by his son, Franklin, it having been built in 1832. He has six chil- dren, as follows: John B., who is vice-presi- dent and general manager of a large fruit exchange in California; Enoch, who is a phy- sician of St. Joseph, Missouri; George, who died at the age of two years; Margaret E., who died in 1882, at the age of 26 years; Franklin, born in 1858, is a civil engineer, manages his father's farm, is interested in coal and manufacturing enterprises and is secretary and treasurer of the Standard Stone & Brick Company,-he was married in i891 to Mary E. Hall, a daughter of William Hall of Pult- ney township; and Mary S., who married James S. Culverhouse of Cadiz. Hannah, the sixth child of George and Margaret ( Helm) Neff, was born August 1, 1817, and was mar- ried October 15, 1840, to James T. Scott. John, deceased, was born January 19, 1820. Elizabeth, who was born August 29, 1825, married Enoch D. Crawford, October 21, 1852.

Peter Neff is living on a farm which formed a part of the okl homestead, and his fine brick residence is but a short distance from the place where he was born, although a new house stands on the old site. He follows general farming and has a great deal of pasture land, raising thoroughbred stock.

Peter Neff was married November 20, 1852, to Eliza Jane Thompson, who died Angust 2, 1896, leaving two children: Clarence W., and

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Ada. Clarence W. was born December 25, 1853, and actively manages our subject's farm of 326 acres. Ile married Mary Bell McKel- vey, October 20, 1876, and has two children : Alva Meades and Ada Luella. Ada, who was born March 23, 1857, was married Oc- tober 25, 1876, to Thomas McKelvey, who resides near Bethel station, by whom she has two children; Clarence, who is with the Charles Arnold drug company of Bellaire, and May, who is at home. In politics, Mr. Neff is a Democrat. He is a member of the Coal Brook Presbyterian Church. His son Clar- ence W. and the latter's wife belong to the Belmont United Presbyterian Church.

DR. ISAAC G. COPE, whose death oc- curred August 31, 1898, practiced his profes- sion in Belmont County for nearly 40 years, being located in Colerain township. Early in' his career he gained an enviable reputation as a physician, which increased as the years went by. He was loved by his many patients for his manly virtues; he was in truth a "family physician," and the sick in spirit as well as in body confided in him.

Dr, Cope was born in Colerain township February 12, 18440, and was a son of Dr. Caleb Cope, whom the older generation remember as one of the pioneer physicians of Belmont County.

Dr. Caleb Cope was for many years the leading physician in Colerain township, and was noted not only for his great skill in his profession, but also for his public spirit and loyalty to his country. He sent four of his sons to serve in the Civil War and contributed most liberally to its continuance. After a period of illness, he died October 6, 1875, aged about 65 years, sincerely lamented by a large family and by patients distributed all over the township and vicinity. Dr. Caleb Cope's first marriage was to Mildred Fowler, and six sons were born to this union, namely. Dr. Isaac G .; Alexis and Herman, twins; John W .; James H .; and Orlando. Alexis enlisted at the be-

ginning of the Civil War, as a private, for three months, and then became a veteran in the 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., coming out of the service with a captain's commission. For a number of years he has been the superintend- ent of the State University of Ohio, at Co- lumbus. Herman died at the age of six years. Jolin W. served in the Civil War as a member of the 98th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He was married at Chattanooga, Tennessee, and died in that city in 1882, at the age of 39 years. James H. resides in Colerain township. Or- lando is the superintendent of the Belmont County Infirmary. The mother of these sons died in 1849, and in 1850 Dr. Cope married Julia A. French, and the four children born to this union are the following: Dr. Charles S., who resides in Michigan; Dr. William H., who resides in California; Frederick, who lives near Martin's Ferry ; and Mary, who has her home with her brother, William H., in California. For some years she was a success- ful teacher in the county. The second Mrs. Cope died in 1873. Both she and her hus- band belonged to the Society of Friends.

Dr. Isaac G. Cope was educated in the com- mon schools of Farmington, Colerain town- ship. He read medicine with his father and was engaged in practice when President Lin- coln issued his call for 75,000 troops to quell the rebellion. He enlisted as a private, but on account of his medical knowledge was soon made hospital steward, and later was com- missioned surgeon, in 1864. He served about three years and then resigned in order to re- turn home and take up his father's practice, the latter being in failing health. Until his death, he was in constant practice and became still more eminent than his father. He was a valued member of the G. A .R. and was also connected with the Masonic societies of St. Clairsville.

On May 4, 1865. Dr. Isaac G. Cope was united in marriage with Elizabeth C. Dun- gan, a native of Belmont County and a daugh- ter of B. Ellis and Sarah (Fox) Dungan. Mr. Dungan, who was a prosperous farmer, died March 14. 1883. at the age of 75 years ;

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his wife died April 25, 1889, in her 81st year. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dungan were estimable members of the Society of Friends. They had a family of eight children, as follows: Josiah, who was a clerk in a grocery, died in 1861, at the age of 25 years; Charles is a farmer of this county; William is farming on the old Dungan homestead; Thomas C., who is an attorney and real-estate dealer, lives in Mis- souri; Mary Anna married Edgar A. Berry, who is farming in Colerain township; Eliza- beth C., the wife of our subject; Julia, who married John Lash, a jeweler in Wheeling, resides in a pleasant home on Wheeling Island; Sarah C., who married John Wiley, re- sides on a farm in Colerain township.

A family of- II children was born to Dr. Isaac G. Cope and his wife, the record being as follows : Caleb H., who is a farmer of Bel- mont County, married Anna Hughes and they have three children,-Harold D., Esther L. and Bertha; Dr. Ellis C .; Mary Anna; Sarah M. married Edwin Steer and has two chil- dren,-Ralph C. and Frank; Elizabeth C .; Alice M., who is taking a trained nurse's course in the Allegheny General Hospital ; Ma- bel 1 .; Edith S. married Hollarn J. Cope and is a teacher in the San Jose ( California) public schools,-they have on child, Robert; Julia L .; and Isaac G. and Lucille, bothi students at school.

DR. ELLIS C. COPE, second son of Dr. Isaac G. Cope, was born November 26, 1869, in Colerain township. Inheriting instincts, and spurred on by the eminent examples of his father and grandfather, he decided early in life to adopt the medical profession, and di- rected his studies to that end. His prepara- tory reading was pursued under his father and he graduated in 1893, at the Ohio Medical University, at Columbus. After a year of practice as a physician and surgeon in the Protestant Hospital, at Columbus, he began work in this county, locating at Barton. He has been made surgeon at this point for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and for several of the standard insurance companies.

Dr. Ellis C. Cope was married October 30,

1900, to Mercy Pratt, a native of Belmont County, being a daughter of Joseph and Anna Pratt. Mr. Pratt died at the age of 43 years, but Mrs. Pratt still survives and resides near Barton. Dr. Cope stands well both socially and professionally, being a member of the county, State and national medical societies, and being also identified with the leading or- ganizations of a social nature in his communi- ty.

JOHN F. SIIRY. A thorough business man, well-qualified farmer and prominent county official is found in John F. Shry, of sections 30 and 36, Wayne township, Bel- mont County. He was born in 1862, in Som- erset township, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Baker) Shry.

Henry Shry was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, and came to Belmont County a fath- erless boy. He found a pleasant home with Henry Gregg of Goshen township, with whom he remained until he began his own life as a farmer, becoming the owner of property in Goshen, Somerset and Warren townships. In politics he was always identified with the Democratic party. His death took place on November 30, 1900. The mother of our sub- ject was Elizabeth Baker, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio, and who died when John F., who was the youngest of ten chil- dren, was four years of age, the others being : Milton 1[., who was a member of the 6otli Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., died in the army during the Civil War; George also served in the army and died later in Belmont County, leaving a widow and family in Barnesville; Thoma's Irvin resides in Kirkwood township, this county ; Winfield S. lives in Wayne township; Sarah Elizabeth is the wife of Jonathan Mer- cer of Warren township; Mary Eliza is the wife of Jonathan Briggs of Salem, Ohio; Ruth Ella is the wife of J. J. Sears of Pied- mont, Ohio, formerly treasurer of Harrison County; William H., a horse dealer in Califor- nia ; and Martha Jane, the wife of George Armstrong, of Morristown, Ohio.

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

When John F. Shry was 10 years old, the family moved into Warren township and two years later into Goshen township, and in both townships was his education secured. In 1890 he purchased from Mr. Copeland his present fiue farm of 95 acres, and located on the place, making the greater part of the improvements that now add so much to the value of the property. Until within the past three or four years Mr. Shry has followed an agricultural life. He has of late been much interested in coal optioning and oil leasing, also giving some attention to politics. Like his father, he is a stanch Democrat, and is serving as town- ship trustee, belonging also to the Board of Education.

In 1889 Mr. Shry was married to Mary Ellen Day, who was born in Somerset town- ship, and is a daughter of the late George Day, who died December 3, 1900, having served four years during the Civil War, a member of the 52nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. Two daughters have been born to this union, namely : Bertha Mabel and Laura E., both little maidens at school. Mr. and Mrs. Shry attend services in the Methodist Church. He is a public-spirited, wide-awake citizen, fully equal to the demands of the day, and holds a high place in the regard of the residents of Wayne township.

JAMES RALEY, deceased, one of the hardy pioneers who performed his part in con- verting Belmont County from an unbroken wilderness into a country of rich farms, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1756. When a young man, he went to Fred- erick County, Virginia, where he married Rachel Steer, a daughter of James and Abigail Steer of the same place. After five children had been born to thein, they removed to what was then the Northwest Territory, purchas- ing from the government a farm in the northi- ern part of Pease township, Belmont County, choosing a spot on a sunny hillside near a never-failing spring of water. Here James

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 92

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490